Method and apparatus for reinforcing webs of paper and the like



Dec. 2, 1941. 2,264,305

METHOD ANI J. APPARATUS FOR REINFORCINQWEBS 'OF PAPER AND THE LIKE G. E. GIBBS Filed April 1, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 mbhm m Dec. 2, 1941. 5, @355 2,264,305

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING WEBS OF PAPER AND THE LIKE Filed April 1, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 2, 1941. G. E. GIBBS 2,264,305

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING WEBS OF'PAPER AND THE LIKE Filed April 1, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 2, 1941. e. E. GIBBS 2,264,305

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING WEBS OF: PAPER AND THE LIKE Filed April 1, 1937 e Sheets-Sheet 4 QQ v know ihwYl. W Q

w x5 5 q w w JJJJJ ,7 1 JEL E m6 2 K Rx o 1 Z 5 o 1 Q 3 1M {1 wQ G. E; GIBBS Dec. 2, 1941.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING WEBS OF PAPER AND THE LIKE Filed April 1, 193'.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 G. E. GIBBS Dec. 2, 1941.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING WEBS OF PAPER AND THE LIKE Filed April 1, 1937 '6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE- mn'rnon m mana'rus non namroncmc. wins or mraa mm was George E. Gibbs, Attleboro, Mm, assignor to American Bccnforced Paper Company, Atticboro, Masa, a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 1, 1937, semi No. 134,288

6 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for reinforcing webs of paper and the like, and particularly to improvements in the machines and processes employed to. deliver reinforcing fibres to the paper and deposit them transversely thereon. I

It is customary, when providing a web of paper with transverse reinforcingfibres, to feed a continuously moving sheet of fibres transversely over a continuously moving web of paper. Lengths of fibre sheet equal to the width of the paper web are cut off and doffed onto the web at such intervals, relative to the speed of travel of the web, that the transverse fibres are deposited in a continuous layer lengthwise of the web. According to prior practices, such as are exemplified in my United States Patent No. 1,841,945 of January 19, 1932, when the width of the web to be reinforced is to be changed, the speed at which the fibre sheet is delivered 'over the web has been changed proportionally, to insure continuity, lengthwise of the paper web, of the deposited transverse fibres.

It is the primary object of the present invention 'to provides. process and apparatus for the purpose which not only have the capacity, as before, for reinforcing webs of different widths, but which, in so doing, permit a substantially constant and high rate of speed of the fibre sheet for all widths of web. To that end, I preferably vary, inversely with the width of the web, both the rate of feed of the paper web and the frequency of cutting the fibre sheet and dofling it to the paper. By thereby accommodating sub-,- stantially constant large areas of paper web per unit of time, regardless of the width of the web, I effect a substantially constant rate of production of the machine and a substantially constant demand on the prior steps in the manufacture.

In its apparatus aspect, my invention provides improvements on prior apparatus of this general character, which particularly adapt it for the speed changes required in performing my novel method. Thus it is one of the primary purposes of the present invention to provide mechanism for dofiing the severed fibres to the web which is operable at diiferent frequencies to accommodate difierent widths of web while, at the same time, maintaining a substantially constant speed of the individual dofling actuations.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of certain parts of Fig. 1 shown in different positions;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view, partly in section, of the fibre receiving end of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view indicating the manner of depositing the transverse fibres on the continuously moving web;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of certain cam tracks to be described;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation view of. the tracks as viewed from the left in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of one of the cam tracks;

Fig. 9 is an elevation view of my novel fibre car'- rier bar;

Fig. 10 is a detail elevation view of the carrier bar showing the lnterdental spaces of the comb unlocked for release of the fibres;

Fig. 11 is a detail vertical section taken on the line ll-l l.of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail elevation view of the carrier slide bar;

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail vertical sections taken respectively on the lines l3--l3 and l4 Id of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation view ofone of the side elevation view of one of the dotting blades;

Fig. 19 is a plan view illustrating the operation Fig. 20 is a detail plan view, partly in section, of one end of one of the dofiing rolls;

Fig. 21 is a detail vertical section on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20 and Fig. 22 is a detail vertical section on the line 22-22 of Fig. 20.

In accordance with my invention a web 20 of paper or the like (Fig. 4), to which, preferably, a coating of asphalt or other adhesive 23 has been applied, passes through the machine in the direction indicated by the arrow to receive a sheet of fibres [6. As a length of web 20 equal to the width of the fibre sheet [6 is advanced beneath the fibre sheet, a length of fibre sheet l6 equal to the width of the web 20 is advanced across the web and dofied onto the web to provide a substantially continuous layer of transverse fibres lengthwise of-the moving web. At Ha I have indicated the line along which the fibre sheet is cut as it approaches the position from which it is dotted to the web.

The sheet of fibres I6, consisting of unspun sisal fibres or other desired reinforcement, after machine from the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3 between upper and lower feed rolls I5,. the lower of which is carried by a power driven shaft 30 and supports a delivery apron IIO'which passes over roll III and a lower roll, not shown. The

upper roll I5 is pressed in any suitable manner on the fibre supported by the apron to grip and to feed the fibre positively. The fibre delivered by the apron is grasped by a series of comb carriers I1 carriedv by a pair of endless chains or racks II 3, one on each side of the machine (Fig. 5). travels in a channel II5 on one side or the other of the machine and, as indicated in Fig. 1, the channels II5 have upper and lower runs connected by semi-circular end courses II5a and II5b to form a continuous path for the rack rollers H6. The racks H3 on both sides of the machine are provided with teeth I (Fig. 3) meshing with and propelled by gears I2I on opposite ends of shaft I22 to move the racks and combs I1 continuously to convey the fibre over the web 20 to be reinforced. The construction and operation of these parts may be in all respects identical with the corresponding parts described in my prior patent.

As in my prior patent, a roll 2I2 mounted on driven shaft 2| I, and provided with spaced, axially-extending grooves I isprovided to aid the insertion of the fibre strands into the interdental spaces of the carrier combs I1. Knife mechanism in the form of a rotating cylinder 22 to be described, is also provided as before for-severing lengths of the fibre sheet equal to the width of the web to be reinforced.

Referring now to Figs. 9 to 18 inclusive, I will describe the construction of my improved carrier bars advanced by the moving racks H3, and. carrying the combs I1 which convey the fibre to the moving web for deposit thereon.

Each of the carrier bars I25 has a pair of side plates I34 and I 35 (Figs. 11 and 13) each of which may be of the form shown in Fig. 15. The side plates are secured in spaced relation to each other by blocks I36 at both ends of the plates, to which, as indicated in Fig. 14, the plates are bolted by bolts I31. The blocks I36 have suitable lugs I40 through which pass bolts I4I securing the bars to the links of the carrier racks II3.

The comb I1, which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 16, consists of a plate I42 in the lower edge of which the comb teeth are formed as indicated. The comb is secured to the lower margin of the rear plate I35 by rivets I45 (Fig. 13) disposed at suitably spaced intervals along the comb plate and it will 'be noted that by this construction the comb teeth I1 project downwardly a substantial distance below the plates I34 and I35 forming the framework of the bar.

As described in my prior patent above noted, it is desirable to lock the fibres in the interdental spaces of the comb while the fibres are being conveyed into position over the web from which they are doifed onto the web. The construction of locking blade herein provided. for the purpose differs from that disclosed in my prior patent and, as indicated in Fig. 17, it consists of a bar Each link of both racks has a roller I I6 that 'vided before.

I50, depending from the lower margin of which is a large number of locking wires I5I, bent to the shape indicated and spaced from each other at intervals conforming to the spacing ofthe comb teeth I1. The wires I5I may be'secured in the locking bar I in any suitable manner such asby being passed through drilled holes therein and then bent over as indicated at I5Ia to seat in a recessin the top edge of the bar I50.

The locking bar I50, with wir'es I5I, is mounted adjacent the comb I1 in such a way that it may be moved in the direction of its length from its locking position indicated in Fig. 9 to the position of Fig. 10 in which the interdental spaces of the comb are unlocked for ejection of the fibres. To that end, the bar I50 is carried in a channel I52 (Fig. 13) formed in a plate I53 secured "between the frame plates I34 and I35 of the carrier bar. It will be noted that the locking wires I5I are disposed closely adjacent to the teeth of the comb I1. Longitudinal movement of the bar I50 for the purpose above stated is effected by attaching one end of the bar I50 to one end of a bellcrank I59 (Fig. 9), the other end of which bellcrank carries at its extremity, the ball I54 received in a cam recess I55 (Fig. 12) formed in a plate I mounted on the under surface of the slide I56. The slide I56 is mounted in a dovetailed groove I51 '(Fig. 14) formed in the block I36 at that end of the carrier bar and it is moved in the direction of its length by certain mechanism to be described which is adapted to engage the roller I58 carried by the slide.

It isapparent-from the foregoing that when the slide I56 is moved to the right, as viewed in Figs. 9 and 12, the ball I54 will ride out of the depression I55 and onto the fiat portion I68 to rotate the bell-crank I59 in a clockwise direction, thereby shifting the locking bar I50 from its locking position of Fig. 9 to its unlocked position of Fig. 10.

When the combs I I have carried the fibres into position over the web 20 and after those fibres have been severed from the fibre sheet in a manner to be described, it is desirable that they be doifed to the moving web as rapidly as possible.'

I have found that the apparatus provided in my prior patent for that purpose may be greatly improved by the provision of a pair of blades, one on each side of the comb, for effecting such dofling operation, rather than a single blade as was pro- The blades which I provide for the purpose are indicated in Fig. 13 at I10 and I1 I, each of which blades may be of substantially the shape indicated for the blade I10 in Fig. 18. The front blade I10 is secured, as by bolts or rivets I12 (Fig. 9), to bars I13 disposed at spaced intervals alongthe blade I10, which bars I 13 may be of substantially the shape indicated in Fig. 11 and are mounted between the front and back plates I34 and I35 for vertical sliding movement therebetween. For vertical movement of the front and rear doffing blades simultaneously, the rear blade is carried by a similar set of spaced bars I14 (Fig. 11) suitably supported on the outside of the plate I35 and spaced in alignment with the bars I13 carrying the front dofllng blade. A pin I15 connects corresponding pairs of bars I13 and I14.

Vertical movement of the doiilng blades is effected by bell-cranks I16 mounted on pivots I11 extending between the front and back plates I34 and I 35 at intervals conforming to the spacing of the bars I13. Each of the bars I13 has a recess I18 adapted to receive the extremity of one arm of the adjacent bell-crank, and the other arms of the bell-cranks are received in spaced slots I19 formed in a bar I88 extending lengthdomng blades I18 and I'll are thereby elevated as desired for reception of the fibres between the teeth of the combs I1. It will be noted, how-' wise of the carrier bar,as indicated. The bar I88 1 at I83 to an extension of the frame of the carrier bar and having a roller I84 adapted to ride on the upper surface I85 (Fig. 12) of the slide I58. Thearrangement is such that when the slide 158 is moved to the right as viewed in Figs. 9

and 12 (which movement, as above described, moves the locking bar I58 to the position of Fig. the roller I84 will ride up on the ramp I85 formed at the end of the slide, thereby rotat ing the bell-crank I82 counter-clockwise and moving the bar I88 to the right. ,The resulting rotation of bell-cranks I16"will be effective-to move both dofling blades I18 and HI downwardly from the bases of the teeth I1 to eject the fibres therefrom.

To effect such sliding movement of the cam slide I56, the roller I58 carried thereby is engaged by one of the blades I89 of a dofllng roll 244 which is periodically advanced in a counterclockwise direction by mechanism now to be described.

As described in my prior patent, successive carrier bars I25 (indicated by dot-dash lines in Fig. 19.) carry r'ollers I58 on alternate ends and for operating the rollers I58 on all bars disposed over the web 28, I provide two of the aforesaid dofling rolls, designated 244 and 244a, each of which is carried by a shaft 243 having a worm 242 meshing with a worm wheel 24I mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 248. Each of the shafts 248 carries at its lower extremity, as indicated in Fig. 1, a pinion 238 meshing with a single toothed gear 234. Both of the gears 234 are mounted on the shaft 233 which is driven continuously in a manner hereinafter to be described and, as the shaft rotates, the teeth 235 on both gears 234, mesh simultaneously with their pinions 238 to impart a slight rotation to both shafts 248. The dofiing rolls 244 and 244a are thereby simultaneously advanced for actuation of the rollers I58 on both sides of the machine. This rotation; as abovedescribed, is effective first to shift to unlocked position the locking bar I58 on all carrier bars disposed over the web and thereafter simultaneously to move both doffing blades I18 and IN on each of said bars downwardly to eject the fibres therefrom.

As the carrier bars I25 progress from their adapted to receive the rollers I58 and move them and the slides I58 inwardly as viewed in Fig.

. 5. As these cam grooves I'98 are the same as in my prior patent, they need not be described in detail herein, except to note that both grooves I98 have roller receiving mouths I9I' (Fig.6)

and semi-circular end portions I92 disposed adjacent the semi-circular end portions II5a of the channels II5 (Fig. 1). As the cam grooves I98 approach said semi-circular end portions I92 they converge toward each other with the result that the rollers I58 will be moved to their extreme inward positions indicated in Fig. 9. The

ever, that as a result .of this movement, the locking blade I58 on each bar I25 will have been shifted to the locking position of Fig. 9. The teeth must accordingly be. unlocked before the combcan receive fibres and for that purpose the rollers I58 are now shifted outwardly, or to the right as viewed in Fig. 9, in an amount sufficient to cause the ball extremity I54 of bell-crank I59 to ride out of the cam slot I55, and onto the flat I 68, but in an amount insuflicient to cause the roller I84 on bell-crank I82 to ride up on the ramp surface I88 of slide I58. The lost motion interval I (Fig. 12) is provided for that purpose. Referring to Fig. '7, the semi-circular end portions 192 of the cam tracks are provided with diverging portions I93 to effect the desired slight outward movement of the rollers I58. To insure against the possibility of any rotation of the When the combs, nowunlocked, have taken the fibres at the roll 2I2 (Fig. 3) the locking bars I58 are quickly shifted to locking position by the converging portions I93a (Fig. '1) of the cam tracks.

As in my prior patent above noted, the dofling rolls 244 and 244a are made sectional in length for accommodating different numbers of carrier bars conforming to different widths of web (Fig. 19). Each dofling roll comprises a main section 258 (Fig. 1) of a length approximating the narrowest width of web 28 tobe reinforced, and end sections 25I and 252 on the right-hand side and sections 253 and 254 on the left-hand side adapted to be inserted as required to increase the length of the dofling rolls to conform to increased widths of the web 28.v InFig. 1 the web 28 is shown of a maximum width and the rolls 244 and 244a have all end sections in operative position.

The details of construction of the rolls are shown in Figs. 20 to 22 inclusive, and as there indicated, each roll has the main section 258 secured to shaft 243 for rotation therewith in any suitable manner as by the keyways 255. In these views I have shown the end section 253 in place and the section 254 removed to illustrate the assembly when the width of web to be reinforced is such that the section 254 is not needed.

Each end section consists of a pair of semicircular castings 251 and 258 on the periphery of which are bosses 259 to which the blades I89 are bolted, as indicated at 268. The castings 251 and 258 are adapted to be assembled around sleeve 282 and carry keys 26I received in keyways in the sleeve 282 which itself is keyed at 263 to the shaft 243.

As indicated at 255 in Fig. 20, the castings 251 and 258 are bevelled at their ends, which bevelled ends dovetail with bevelled collars 288 loosely carried on shaft 243.

In proximity to each of the removable end sections of both dofling rolls is a member 218 pivoted on a rod' 21I suitably secured to the frame. The member 218 comprises a flat strip of metal of substantially the shape indicated and of a width approximating the length of each of the removable end sections. They are used for a 'Pm'P se to be described.

shaft 249 the procedure is as follows. The sleeve- 211 is first retracted toward collar 219, compressing the spring 219, until the latch member 299 (Fig. 21) pivoted to the frame of the machine. engages over the shoulder 204 on sleeve 211, thereby holding the latter retracted. The

nut 219 may then be backed off, permitting the end collar 255 to be slid lengthwise of the shaft and the semicircular castings 251 and 258 to be removed. The nut is then retightened against sleeve 252. In a similar manner other sections can be removed or replaced as desired and it will be noted that the spacing of sections remaining on the shaft is always preserved by the sleeves 252.

Any loosening of the nut 216 on shaft 243 as the shaft rotates is prevented by the locking engagement between the nut and sleeve 211 splined to the shaft;

The members 210 are provided to insure against dofllng actuation of those carrier bars positioned in proximity to those portions of the shaft 249 from which the dofllng blade sections have been removed. In an obvious manner, when sections are removed as above described the adjacent member 210 is swung downwardly in position to engage the rollers I59 of the adjacent carrier bars, as shown at 21.0 in Fig. 22.

The construction of the knife mechanism 22 (Fig. 3) is in all respects identical with that shown in my prior patent and, as indicated, the mechanism includes a plurality of knife assemblies 299, each comprising a pair of blades 900 and 9M, both of which, as indicated in Fig. 5, have cutting teeth between the interdental spaces of which the fibres are adapted to pass. The tooth blade 90! is stationary and its companion blade 900 is longitudinally movable in the slot 902. Each of the movable blades 900 carries, projecting from its ends, the rollers 903 The cam 250 is mounted on, and driven in a counterclockwise direction by, a shaft 200 in a manner to be described. The cam follower "I is idle during the major portion of the groove 250 which is circular about the center 200,-but when the actuating portion 250' receives follower 25l, the arm 259 is rotated slightly in a clockwise direction about the pivot 254 to im- (Fig. 5) and 304 adapted to be engaged by certain members to move the blade 300 in the direction of its length to sever the fibre strands,

For selective engagement with the roller 303 of the knife to be operated, I provide a finger 905 pivoted at 305, and connected at 21! to a vertical rod 210 (Fig. 1). The rod 210 is pivoted at its lower end 901 to one end of a lever 25l loosely mounted on stud shaft 254. A bellcrankhaving arms 253 and 255 is also loosely pivoted on the shaft 254. The bell-crank arm 255 has an elongated slotted portion 255 adapted to receive a bolt 260 secured to the lever 26! whereby to secure the bell-crank in different positions of adjustment relative to lever 26L The extremity 263 of the bell-crank arm 255 has a nose adapted for different adjustable positions on the ribbed arcuate piece 252 secured to the lever 25I.

The other arm 253 of the bell-crank has a cam follower roller 25! received in a cam groove 250 having a knife actuating portion 250'.

part similar rotation to the lever 25!, thereby moving the rod 210 downwardly. As shown in Fig. 5 the resulting-movement of the pivot point 21! causes the finger 905 to project into the path of travel of the rollers 903 thereby actuating which ever of the knives 299 next advances for engagement of its roller 909 with finger 905. When cam follower 25f rides out of cam portion 250' the finger 905 is retracted so that the remaining knives on the cylinder are not operated and the knife that has been so operated is retrieved, as the knife cylinder rotates, by its roller 904 coming into engagement with a fixed stop 9| 0 (Fig. 5) protruding from the frame of the machine.

The mechanism for driving the machine is shown-in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. As there indicated, the shaft 350, extending lengthwise of the machine, is driven from shaft 950D by means of the conev pulleys 950a connected by a belt as indicated. Shaft 950D is driven by belt 9500 from a suitable power source. The drive thus described is effective to rotate the shaft 950 at a variable speed with relation to the constant speed shaft 350b as determined by the position of the belt on pulleys 950a, shifted by shipper 950d. This mechanism is conventional and need not be further described. Any other suitable mechanism for driving the shaft 350 at adjustable speeds can be employed.

The shaft 350 carries a bevel gear 952 meshing with bevel gear 953 on shaft 354. The shaft 354 carries secured to it the sprocket 955 (Fig. 5) over which is trained a chain 950 running over a sprocket 351 on shaft 200. The shaft 200 (Fig. l) carries fixed to it a changeable gear 20! meshing with an idler gear 202 carried on a stud shaft 209 mounted in bearings in a bracket 204, which bracket is loosely mounted on the shaft 205. The shaft 205 carries loosely secured to it an idler gear 205 which meshes both with a gear 2| 0 on the shaft 2 which carries the locking roll 2l2 (Fig.3) and also with a gear 2l3 secured to the shaft 2 on which the cutting cylinder 22 is mounted. The gear 2l9 meshes with an idler 2i6 which, in turn, meshes with a gear 220 mounted on the shaft I22 which carries the gear l2| (Fig. 3) adapted to advance the rack carrying the combs H. The apron H0 and lower roll i5 are driven by chain I05 passing over sprockets on shafts and 2| I.

It is apparent from the foregoing gear train, that when the shaft 200 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated, the shafts 2| l, 2 and I22 carrying the locking roll, cutting cylinder and rack drive respectively, will each be rotated in a clockwise direction. The ratios of the gears in this train are such that peripheral speeds of apron H0, cylinders 2I2 and 22 and racks I I3 are the same.

As described above, the dofiing rolls 244 and 244a are periodically advanced through a gear train actuated by the single toothed gears 294 mounted on the continuously driven shaft 233, For a purpose to be described it is desirable to rotate the shaft 299 and single toothed gears 234 continuously, but at a speed which constantly changes during each complete rotation of the shaft 233 and gears 234. For that purpose the shaft 233 is driven from the shaft 200, which rotates at a constant rate of speed, by a pair of elliptical gears comprising an elliptical driving gear 230 mounted on each end of the shaft 200 and a complementary elliptical driven gear 23| mounted on each end of the shaft 233.

It is also desirable at times to change the positions of the single toothed gears 234 on the shaft 233. By so doing I utilize the varying speed of rotation of the elliptical gear 23l to change the speed at which the single tooth 235 of each gear 234 meshes with its bevel gear 236. To that end the single toothed gears are loosely mounted on the shaft 233 and are bolted to the driven elliptical gears 23l by bolts 232 (see also Fig. 19) passing through aligned bolt holes in the elliptical and single toothed gears. The three bolts 232 shown indicate three difierent positions of adjustment of each gear-234 about the shaft 233 and obviously further variations in position can be obtained by increasing the number of bolt holes. It will be understood that identical positions of adjustment are always made for both gears 234 so that their teeth 235 mesh with their correspondingbevel gears 235 at the same instant.

With the mechanism adjusted as illustrated in Fig. l, the machine is adapted for depositing fibres transversely of a web 20 of the maximum width which the machine will accommodate. By the gear train above described leading from the driving shaft 200 to the fibre locking roll 2l2, knife. cylinder 22, and rack drive gears l2l, a length of fibre sheet l6 equal to the said width of the web will be conveyed into position over the web and severed from the remainder of the fibre sheet during one complete rotation of the shaft 200. By the elliptical gear train connecting the shafts 20B and 233, the single toothed gear 234 will also rotate one complete revolution during this time, which will be effective for a single operation of the dofling rolls 244 and 244a to deposit the fibres on the paper through unlocking of the interdental spaces of the comb l1 and simultaneous actuation of the dofllng blades I10 and Ill (Fig. 13) of the comb carriers [25 in position over the web. It will be noted from the relative positions of the knife op-. erating cam portion 250 and the single tooth 235 that the knife has just been operated and the doifing rolls 244 and 244a are immediately to be operated.

As a result of the elliptical gears, the tooth 235 rotates, as stated, at varying speeds during each complete cycle. With the parts in their positions indicated in Fig. 1, when the tooth 235 is about to engage the pinion 236, the longest ra' dius of the elliptical driving gear 230 is in mesh with the shortest radius of the driven elliptical gear 23!. The rate of movement of the single toothed gear 234 is therefore maximum at that moment. For a purpose which will appear, I desire such maximum speed of actuation of the dofling rolls 244 and 244a when the machine is adjusted to process maximum widths of web.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the adjustments necessary to accommodate the minimum width of web, it being understood that similar adjustments may be made for all widths of web intermediate the maximum and minimum widths.

The changeable gear 20! of Fig. 1 has been replaced by a smaller gear 20IA, which like the gear 2M, carries on its face a cam grove, indicated'at 250A, having a drop 250A adapted to receive the roller25l on bell-crank 253.- The radius of the circular portion of the groove 250A I is smaller than the radius of the cam groove 250 on gear 20!, thereby necessitating an adiustment between the bell-crank 253 and lever 26I to its position indicated, which adjustment may readily be efiected after loosening the nut on the bolt 260 passing through the elongated slot 256 on the arm of the bell-crank.

For the minimum width of web 20 I desire, for a purpose which will appear, to provide a minimum speed of actuation of the doffing rolls 244 and 244a relative to the speed of shaft 200. To

that end, I have indicated in Fig. 2 such an adjustment of each of the single toothed gears 234 about the shaft 233 that at the moment each tooth 235 meshes with its pinion 236, the shortest radius of driving elliptical gear 230 is in mesh with the longest radius of driven gear 23I.

The purpose of these various adjustments is I as follows:

The speed at which the web 20 is introduced to the machine preferably varies inversely with the width of the web so that the web is fed faster for narrower widths than for the broader widths. Under ideal conditions, constant areas ofweb will be processed per unit of time regardless of the width of web which, in turn, will permit a constant rate of speed of the fibre sheet I6 for all widths of web. A high rate of production is of course desired, so that the speed of advance of the fibre sheet I6 is made as high as is practicable.

For the maximum width of web of Fig. 1,the train of gears leading from shaft 200 to the fibre feeding and cutting mechanism feeds the fibre sheet at a predetermined rate, and cuts ofi a length of fibre sheet equal to the maximum width.

tuation of the smaller gear 20IA for the larger gear 20!, the train of gears leading to the fibre feeding mechanism is rotated more slowly than before relative to the shaft 200. However, the speed of advance of the web 20 is now increased inversely as its width has been decreased, and,

at the same time, I increase the speed of rotation of shaft 200 in such an amount that the fibre is fed at substantially the same rate as before the substitution of the change gear ZIIIA. As a result of the faster rotation of the shaft 200 and of gear 20IA carrying knife operating cam 250A, the fibre will be severed at more rapid intervals than before, thus cutting off shorter lengths of the fibre sheet, commensurate with the narrower widths of web now being processed.

The increase in speed of rotation of shaft 200 increases in like amount, through the elliptical gears, the speed of rotation of each single toothed gear 234 so that the doffing rolls 244 and 244a, like the knife mechanism, are operated at more frequent intervals to dofi the shorter lengths of fibre onto' the web 20. Shafts 200 and 233 always rotate at a one to one ratio.

If the drive from the shaft 200 to shaft 233 comprised the ordinary circular concentric gears, not only would the intervals of actuation of the dofling mechanism be made more rapid upon increase in speed of shaft 200, as is desired, but,-

furthermore, the speed of each individual actu ation would also be increased, which I have found not to be desirable. As indicated in Fig. 2,

I therefore adjust each single toothed gear to dofd'ng mechanism operate rapidly when it is operated, by having the rapid portion of rotation of each gear 234 effective to advance its pinion 236. There is little danger of shock to the parts when the Fig. 1 adjustment is being used as a slower speed of rotation of shaft 200 is employed with that adjustment as above noted. By utilizing the highest available speed of gear 234 to rotate the dofling rolls I insure that the blades I89 of the doflingrolls (Fig. 19) are advanced with sufficient speed to clear the way. for the rollers I58 on the carrier bars next succeeding those operated by such advancement of the doffing rolls.

By a proper design of gears 230 and 23! I may, within limits, maintain substantially constant the speed of the individual actuations of the dofiing mechanism while increasing or decreasing the frequency of the successive actuations thereof.

It is thus apparent that my invention provides dofllng mechanism, which embodies two inde- .1. The method'of reinforcing webs of mate- .rial of different selected widths which comprises forming reinforcing fibres into a continuous sheet of predetermined width, advancing a sheet of fibres so formed at a predetermined speed for a given width of web to be reinforced, advancing said web of given width at a predetermined speed beneath the fibre sheet in a direction transverse of the direction of advance of the fibre sheet, cutting the fibre sheet'and dofling the cut portions onto the web at a predetermined frequency to form a continuous layer of transverse fibres lengthwise of said web, and changing the web width, increasing or decreasing the pendently variable characteristics of actuation.

That is, the frequency of the successive dofling actuations may be varied and the rapidity of each individual actuation may also be varied entirely independently of the said frequency. I am thus able materially to speed up the rate of production for narrow widths of web by effecting a rapid succession of doifing operations while preserving such a moderate speed of each dofling stroke as is conducive to a smooth operation of the machine. Although I have employed for the purpose a variable speed of rotation of single toothed gears 234 effected by the drive through the elliptical gears, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other equivalent mechanisms may be employed for the purpose and my invention is not to be limited to the mechanism herein disclosed except as indicated in the appended claims.

The web which is thus provided with transversely disposed fibres, is thereafter usually supplied with a top layer of paper, coated on one suv ace with asphalt or'other adhesive by which it is secured over the transversely reinforced web. Also, if desired, longitudinally extending fibres as well as transverse fibres. may be interposed between the two webs by suitable apparatus, such as is disclosed in my prior United StatesPatent No. 1,850,301 of March 22, 1932.

- Whereas I have described my machine as being adaptable for processing constant areas of paper per unit of time, it is of course to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to precisely constant web speeds for all widths of web because, in some instances, it may be desirable to increase the rate of production for certain widths of web.

I claim:

speed of the web advance inversely as the change in web width, increasing or decreasing the cutting and dofilng frequency with the increase or decrease respectively of the speed of the web while maintaining substantially constant the said predetermined speed of fibre feed so that substantially constant areas of web are processed per unit of time.

2. The method of reinforcing webs of material of different selected widths which comprises forming reinforcing fibres into a continuous sheet of predetermined width, advancing a sheet of fibres so formed at a predetermined speed for a given width of web to be reinforced, coating a web of given width with adhesive and advancing the coated web at a predetermined speed beneath the fibre sheet in a direction transverse of the direction of advance of the fibre sheet, cutting the fibre sheet and dofling the cut portions onto the web at a predetermined frequency to form a continuous layer of transverse fibres lengthwise of said web, and coating a web of different width, advancing the .web at a speed of advance which is increased or decreased in versely as its width is so changed, increasing or decreasing the cutting and dofiing frequency with the increase or decrease respectively of the speed of the web while maintaining substantially constant the said predetermined speed of fibre feed so that substantially constant areas of web are processed per unit of time.

3. In a web reinforcing machine, the combination with a plurality of carriers for delivering fibres transversely of a moving web, of mechanism for dofiing severed lengths of fibre from the carriers onto the web including a dofier, a drive shaft adapted to operate at selected constant rates, a driving element on said shaft, a driven element connected to said driving element to be driven thereby through a. cycle at a speed which varies during each cycle 'while the speed of said drive shaft remains at a selected constantrate, and means, connecting" fast period, respectively, whereby the frequency of operation of the doffer, governed by the'speed of said shaft, and the speed of operation of the doifer, governed by said relative positioning, are independently variable.

4. In a web reinforcing machine, the combination with a plurality of carriers for delivering fibres transversely of a moving web, of mechanism for dofilng severed lengths of fibre from the carriers onto the web including a doil'er, a drive shaft adapted to operate at selected constant rates, a driving element on said shaft, a driven element connected to said driving element to be driven thereby through a cycle at a speed which varies during each cycle while the speed of said drive shaft remains at a selected constant rate, means connecting said driven element with the doffer, which actuates the doifer during a limited period in said cycle andat a frequency governed by the speed of said shaft, and means for changing the speed of said shaft to change said frequency, the relative positions of said driven element and said connecting means being adjustable so that the period during said cycle when the doffer is actuated is changed from a relatively fast period or a relatively slow period to a relatively slow period or a relatively fast period, respectively, whereby'the speed of actuation of the doifer is maintained substantially constant notwithstanding its said change in frequency.

5. In a web reinforcing machine, the combination with a plurality of carriers for delivering fibres transversely of a moving web, of mechanism for dofiing several lengths of fibre from the carriers onto the web including a doifer, a drive shaft adapted to operate at selected constant rates, a driving gear eccentrically mounted on said shaft, a driven gear, also eccentrically mounted, and meshing with said driving gear so that by the eccentricities of said gears said driven gear is rotated at a speed which varies during each revolution while the speeds of rotation of said drive shaft and said driving gear remain constant, and means, connecting said driven gear'with the doifer, which actuates the doffer during a limited period in the cycle of rotation of said driven gear and at a frequency governed by the speed of said shaft, the relative positions of said driven gear and said connecting means being adjustable so that the period during said cycle when the dofler is ac- 1 by said relative positioning, are independently tuated is changed from a relatively fast period or a relatively slow period to a relatively slow period or a relatively fast period respectively, whereby the frequency of operation of'the doifer, governed by the speed of said shaft, and the speed of operation of the doffer, governed variable.

6. In a web reinforcing machine, the combination with a plurality of carriers for delivering fibres transversely of a moving web, of mechanism for dofllng severed lengths of fibre from the carriers onto the web including a dofler, a

drive shaft adapted to operate at. selected constant rates, a driving element on said shaft, a

driven element having a doffer actuating member adjustably secured thereto, the said driven element being connected to said driving element so that said driven element and said member are driven through a cycle at a speed whigh varies during each cycle while the speed of said drive, shaft remains at a selected constant rate, means connected to the dofier and disposed in the path of movement of said member to be engaged and advanced thereby during a limited portion only of the cycle of movement of the member and, when advanced to actuate the dofier at'a speed determined by the speed of movement of the member when it engages and advances said means and at a frequency ,gov-' erned by the speed of said shaft, means for changing the speed of said shaft to change said frequency, the relative positions of said driven element and said member being adjustable to change the period during said cycle when the member engages and advances said means to actuate the doffer from a relatively fast period or a relatively slow period to a relatively slow period or a relatively fast period respectively, so that the speed of actuation of the doifer is maintained substantially constant notwithstanding its said change in frequency.

GEORGE E. GIBBS.- 

